Hanauma Bay Snorkeling

Hanauma Bay is still popular as ever and there are visitors still asking if they could stay longer at Hanauma Bay, beyond the recommended departure time.

Just a few years ago, Hanauma Bay was at a critical point of over crowding. Anyone arriving at Hanauma Bay for snorkeling and even just for viewing had to wait about one (1) hour to two (2) hours in the hot sun just to get in at the top of the mountain by the Hanauma Bay admission. Too many people were coming to Hanauma Bay and just staying for the whole day. There were too many shaded areas. As such, the snack bar was relocated to the top of the mountain and all the seating areas and the big umbrellas were removed. They did much as they can to remove as much shaded areas as possible. This did solve most of the over crowding problem. Due to the sun in Hawaii being three (3) times the strength as compared to California, it is very rare for anyone to stay too long at Hanauma Bay. The few shaded areas down the Hanauma Bay beach is not easy to claim unless you arrive before anyone else.

Hanauma Bay is a nature preserve where the fish are not afraid of people. Some three million Hawaii visitors have annually visited Hanauma, which had caused severe deterioration. Since then, in 1990, the City and County of Honolulu laid out a plan to restore Hanauma to a clean, healthy state by reducing the number of visitors, establishing an educational program, and instituting supportive restrictions.

The combined efforts in protecting and preserving the Hanauma Bay are the major upper and lower bay facility improvements. Now the Hanauma has a site where its education program flourishes with the award-winning Marine Education Center, that opened in August 2002.

Once you arrive at Hanauma, all visitors are required to pay a $7.50 admission fee, which is collected by the City and County of Honolulu employees. You are then presented with a short safety video, which also encourages you to join the staff and the volunteers as stewards of this precious gift of Hanauma and the other living reef environments.

Parking at Hanauma Bay is very limited.

$11.50 per person - Requires a minimum of two (2) paying customers

$11.50 fee includes the following:

Waikiki Hotel pick up and return

Air Conditioned and Fully insured vans

Professional drivers

Sanitized professional equipment (mask, snorkel & fins)

Instructions on how to use the equipment

Snorkeling safety tips

Guidelines on being an environmentally friendly snorkeler

Closed on Tuesdays

Closed on Christmas Day & New Years day

Pick up Time

from Waikiki

Departure Time

from Hanauma Bay

8:00 am

12:30 pm

10:00 am

2:30 pm

12:00 pm

4:30 pm

Pick up is from your hotel in Waikiki

$5 additional fee if staying more than the scheduled departure time

In order to discourage the Hanauma Bay visitors from staying too long, the Snack Bar and the shaded seating areas have been relocated to the top of the mountain.

As such, you will be in the sun directly for the most of your visit.

Nevertheless, people are still requesting for the earliest pick up with the latest return, which most if not all would end up calling us to change to an earlier departure time from Hanauma Bay once they arrive and see the situation.

Henceforth, we have now implemented a $5 additional fee for staying more than 4 hours at Hanauma Bay.

This should discourage anyone from prearranging their stay to be too long at Hanauma Bay.

Strollers & bulky items are not allowed on the vehicles

Same day orders are only accepted in person at our office

This is a round trip transportation on a taxi with the snorkel gears rental included.

This is not a guided tour.

Individuals are allowed entry to the Hanauma Bay.

However, group permits are normally required for groups of 10 or more people, it is our recommendation for you to contact the Hanauma Bay educational department at hanauma@hawaii.edu for further information on obtaining a group permit.

Your group of 10 or more can be turned away at the admission gate if you do not have a group permit.

We are not responsible if your group is turned away at the admission gate for not having a group permit.

Reservation Form

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We will send you a tentative reservation for your review

Contact Name

Contact Phone Number:

Email Address:

Main Person - First Name: Last Name:

Number of Adults 18+ years old:

Number of Children 4 ~ 17 years old:

Number of Lap Children 5 and under:

Pick up Date (ex: May 13, 2016):

Select your pick up time:

Your hotel name or Address for pick up arrangement:

Trip voucher delivery method:

Comments

Price is the same whether you take the snorkel gears or not.

It is recommended for everyone to take the snorkel gears even if you feel that you may not use it.

Most people snorkel at about knee deep to waist deep at Hanauma Bay.

The simplest instruction for snorkeling at the Hanauma Bay is as follows.

Put on your mask

Put on your fins

Put on your snorkel

Walk over to the water to waist deep

Bend over

Enjoy the view

If you are having any problem, just 'Stand Up.'

For those seeking for more adventure, go swim out further

The fish at Hanauma Bay are not afraid of people so it is a great venture even for non swimmers

Group Info (10 or more) - Permits from the Honolulu City & County

Due to the large number of visitors to Hanauma Bay, the City and County of Honolulu restricts all organized groups to the Bay. Those groups visiting Hanauma Bay for an educational program and experience can request accommodation through the Hanauma Bay Education Program.

Educational Program Requests are valid for two hours and entitle groups to guaranteed parking, immediate entrance to the Bay, a private showing of the mandatory Hanauma Bay educational video, and an educational orientation. The staff at the Hanauma Bay Education Program coordinates all group visits.

Groups interested in undertaking an educational program should call the Education Program at (808) 397-5840. We request at least two weeks notice, although special arrangements can sometimes be made. Please note that groups who do not request an educational program may be turned away.

Permits are valid for two hours, which includes a 30-45 minute presentation and a 12 minute educational video.

Please bring a copy of your approved permit and be prepared to show it to a parking attendant; entrance is permitted even if the parking lot is full.

The admission fee to enter the Nature Preserve is $7.50 for non-residents 13 years of age or older. This fee is waived for local residents with a valid ID. The cashiers take cash, traveler's checks, and credit cards.

Snorkel gear is NOT PROVIDED by the Honolulu City & County.

The snorkel concession takes only cash and requires a deposit in the form of a credit card, cash, or rental car key.

Buses cannot park on site and are allowed 15 minutes to drop off and pick up only. (Please call the City and County Parks and Recreation Department for suggestions on where drivers can park: 808-395-2211)

There is limited shade and cover in the park. Please bring sun protection and rain gear.

Hanauma Bay Address:

7455 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, Hawiai 96825

Hanauma Bay Driving Directions:

Take H1 East from Waikiki until it ends and becomes Kalanianaole Highway. Drive for about 10 miles and the entrance to Hanauma Bay will appear on the right at the top of the hill. Hanauma Bay parking lot fills up early and you will be turned away by the security if it is full. By getting there early you will avoid long lines at the ticket booth and snorkel concession.